Safety filler and vapor return valve construction



July .1950 L. c. RONEY 2,516,424

SAFETY FILLER AND VAPOR RETURN VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 27, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 30 I4 68 g 9.2 69 73 5e e l7 77 e l2 0 as INVENTOR.

I1Y' .2 LEONARD c. RONEY y 1950 L. c. RONEY 2,516,424

SAFETY FILLER AND VAPOR RETURN VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 27, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

3 I? 4:' i2 68 q;\ 73 I2 38 94 4o 6 52 54 22 22 so 44 I: 72 b as 0 as 7- l2 3- 5 IO 4 25 2? INVENTOR. LEONARD c. RONEY 5| Patented July 25, 1950 FILLER-AND VAPOR RETURN., VALVE 0 ON STRUGTION f Leonard 02' Honey, Los Angeles; Galifi, assignor, by-mesne =-assignments, to; ;S'outl1westerniDevele oprnentj;(iompa'ny,.Los1 Angeles, Califara corpoeration of California Application-May,'2'li 1946; Serial No. 672,418"

- 2.;Glaims This invention relates to apparatus for dis-- tribution, storageand dispensing'of liquefiedgas and particularly to valved vessels or: bottles: providing for: use of liquefiedfuel gas at'i'solated' points elf-consumption.

Such liquefied fuel gases develop at: ordinary temperatures dangerouslyhigh pressures; constituting a tire andexplosion hazard; and there are employed for theirsaferetention. vessels of high strength steer-equipped with valvefittings to provide ahigh degree of safety;

Valves used often suffer damage through use or aging and must be replaced. It is desirable that they-be safely replaceable or repairable while the vessel is charged with gas and auxiliary valve structure has heretofore beenemployed to trap the gas'while the repair ismade:

The fittings of" the valve structure'by which connections are'madeto filling and/or utilization apparatus are disposed. toproject' outside the envelope of the vessel for conveniencedn-usebut in this position they are=exposedtoZdamage byimpact such that their efiectiveness; as a seal may-be impaired and the provision ottl'ie auxiliary valve has heretofore been suchthat: valve is positioned inside the vessel" envelopeand protected from such. injury so that 'even"tliough= the sealing valve: be damaged, the escape of vaporized gas in dangerous-degree'is prevente'dby the auxiliary'valver l Former fittings of this character have been such that the base for the"- outer valve seat wasdisposed outside the valve body and: so wasaex posed to damage. Itis on'eof the-objects of this inventionto so-provide'rthatrthemuter valve base K with; its seati is entirely and 3rcte'etivelyc modatediwithin theib'ody ofsthefittinga- 1 Itis another objectroffthisrinvention to so pro vide thatthe s'eatingeofthe valve*seatabase" of the" external valve is:normally sealedtbye-ai gasket within the body-ofrthe valVe-fitting.-. Agfurther object? ofrthi's zinvention-is to' so pro vide that when a' connection is' madeto fillingwr utilizationv equipment by suitable hose and adapters; a gasketed *seal '1 is efiected betwe'en theadapter: and the 1 fitting; andsto provid'e.-..so that concurrently with: effecting that seal,: the valve seatybase. of: the? outer. valve; hassits :c'onnectiom with' the valve bodys-efie'ctually'sealed by the same;

The present: invention; has. forranotheri-oleject the. provision of: improvem'entsisuchitliatf the err- 1 posedrportio-ns of thezvalve:structureeandlfittingsf arezless easily; damaged-Eand in; this re'gardelroth the; valves are carriedibwaz single; integrahbadm 2: which efiectually prevents damage tothe=valve structures-internallythereof;

Another object-ofthe invention is to provide for 'more effective trapping aetion'by the aux iliary'or excess fiowvalve when the-outer valve is tion to provide --va1ve structures of these various 1 types incorporating the advantagesabove set forth;

Other-objects and advantages will become apparent'upon consideration of the following specification, and" the accompanying drawings;

. wherein:

Fig-r 1' isa fragmentary sectional view illustrating astorage vessel fitted with quick filling and excessfiow valves and closure cap with seal;

Fig; 2isa fragmentary view taken from Fig. 1

to illustrate the trapping action;

Fig. 3 is a'view similar to that-of Fig, 1 i1lus+ tra-tinga filling valveand a safety check va1ve;,

, Fig; 4is aview similarto those of Figs. land 3", but showing a structure providing for discharge of gas for'utilization or for vapor release.

Brief reference is now made to the general combination which is present in all the modifications of the drawings, and the same reference characters are applied to the correspondingparts' irrthe various 'fig ures, after which'each modifi= tiodwill bedesltribed in detail.

The apparatus comprises a vessel ll! of suitable; material and'thick'ness provided'with aprojec tion"l2"having'an-internalthread l3 to receivea companion thread M on the body I6 of the valve structure I 83' The'body lfi isprovided with a'wrench engageable portion 2ll by which it may be permanently fixedinthe vessel' Ifi'andbody I6 is threaded-at 22 m receivinga companionfitting of a flexible hoseor the-like, not shown, but to be understood m be associated with charging or utilization equipment.

The body ii providesan outer part thereof "proje'cting-cutwardlyof the exterior-surface of the envelope I0; wliichfxout'er 'partis exposedwto dam-- age by direct impact; and aninner partf posi tioned. inwardly-s off the: exteriorl of the: envelope which inner parta'is:considerablyrprotected by the enve1op erfromadirectimpact:-v

The body I6 provides a passage therethrough in which there are mounted the two valves above referred to, the outer valve being designed to efiect a positive seal under certain conditions and the inner valve trapping the gas within the vessel under certain other conditions.- The valves also function for other specific purposes depending upon the particular application, as will be referred to.

The inner valve includes a valve seat 24 against which a moving valve 26 engages for the purpose of closing or partially closing the passage through the body I 6. The outer valve arrangement includes a valve seat 28 against which a moving valve 38 engages for closing the passage.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the body l6 provides an annular lip 32 located adjacent the valve seat 24, and a cylindrical bore 34 joined by an axially outwardly facing shoulder 36. Outwardly of the bore 34 in the direction of the outside of the vessel I 8, the body I6 is counterbored at 38 and is provided with an outwardly facing annular abutment 48. outwardly of'the counterbore 38 the body 16 provides a valve chamber 42; and outwardly thereof the body is internally threaded at 44, the thread crest diameter being slightly greater than the diameter of the counterbore 38. A valve seat base 46, which carries the valve seat 28 of the outer valve is threaded thereto and abuts a further shoulder 48 formedat the outer end of the thread 44, and a passage terminating counterbore 50 is formed above the shoulder 48. The body I6 also provides an annular recess 52 interrupting the counterbore 58 a short distance outwardly of the shoulder 48, and provides a gasket seat 54. The gasket-seal 54 is flush with a gasket seat 56 provided by the outward end of the valve seat base 46when in its seated position. The valve seat base 46 is internally threaded at 58 to receive a suitable fitting.

Thus it receives a sealingcap 59, or hose fitting, not shown, having a cored threaded projection 68 and a shoulder 62 providing a gasket engagingface. The shoulder 62 engages a gasket 64 to compress it against the gasket seats 54 and56 of the body l6 and the valve seat base 46 respectively. It will be observed therefore that the ga sket64 is caused to eflect aseal at the outer end of the threads 44 and 58. This prevents escape of vapor from the chamber 46; and also prevents such escape from a space 66 at the outlet side of the valve 36 into a portion 61 of the passage through the body l6. It will easily be seen that byremoving the base 46, the structure of the valve 38 may readily be removed for replacement;

Referring now particularly to-Fig. 1, the valve 38-is pressed against the seat 28 by a spring 68. The spring 68 surrounds a piston-like stem 18 sliding in a cylinder H formed in a disc-shaped support 72. The periphery of the support I2 fits in the counterbore 38 and is seated on the shoulder 48. Two tubular portions 13 and I integral with the support 12 form an extension of the cylinder H. The portion 13 provides a guide forthe spring 68 and the portion 15 provides a centering guide for a spring 14. The spring 68 .bears against'the outer face of the support 12 and the inner surface of the valve 38 to close the valve 30 against the valve seat 28. The spring 14 bears against the inner face of the support 12, and the outerside-of a spring seating washer 16. The washer 16 is mounted on the outer end of the valve stem 82 of the valve 26 by a screw 19. The spring 14 tends to unseat the support 12 from the shoulder 48 and is prevented from doing so by 4 the spring 68. The shoulder 48 therefore normally forms a fixed base for the support 12. The valve stem 82 is reciprocably mounted in a support 76', having a tubular portion 88, against which the washer 16 engages in stopping opening movement of the valve 26. The support 16' is thus held against the shoulder 36 by the spring 14. An annular skirt 18 formed integral with the support 12 fits within the bore 34 and a second annular skirt 88 formed integral with the support 16' fits within the bore 34, being disposed to abut the skirt 18.

. The valve 38, springs 68 and I4 and support I2 are removable upon removal of the seat base 46, as shown in Fig. 2. The valve 26 is biased to open position by the spring 14. Supports l2 and 16 provide passages 69 and H' for fluid flow.

When a hose to a utilizing apparatus is connected to replace the cap shown in Fig. 1 and the valve 38 is held unseated by any positive means, such as the stem 39-, shown in Fig. 4, the gas passes both valves without hindrance. Should the hose break, the valve 38 will not close, but the check valve 26 will engage the seat 24 and pre vent excess flow. In the event the valve 38 .closes thereafter, as upon removal of the hose, the valve 26 is soon thereafter released, the seating thereof being insufliciently tight to prevent equalization of pressure at both. sides of the valve.

Should the outer end of the body I6 be sheared off, as shown in Fig. 2, the valve 26 promptly closes, the pressure of the spring 14 having been removed.

If it is desired to replace the seat facing of the valve 30, the valve 38 is first placed in de pressed position with any available tool. The outflow of gas causes the valve 26 to close against the action ofthe spring I4 and then the base 46 may be removed to permitwithdrawal of the valve 30, spring 68, support 12, and spring".- Escape of'large quantities of gas from the vessel is prevented by the seated valve 26.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 3, the valve 26 is provided with a stem 82 carrying a dished spring seating washer 84. The stem 82 is reciprocably mounted in a disc-like support 88 having a tubular portion 81. The support 86 is normally seated against the shoulder 36 by a coil expansion spring 88 inserted between the support 86 and the washer 84 to surround the stem 82. By its action, the spring 88 draws the valve 26 to its seat 24 and the support 86 against the shoulder 36 formed by the lip 32.

The valve-'30 is provided: with a replaceable packing to engage the seat 28 anda stemlfl reciprocably' mounted in a support 72. The support 12 is'substantially identical with. the support 12 of Fig. '1 and is provided with a shoulder 84' normally stopped by the shoulder 48. The valve 38 is biased to closed position against the valve seat 28 by the expansion coil spring 68. It will be observedthat the valve 26 of Fig. 3 does not permit flow out of the vessel I0, but provides for trapping the gas when the. valve 38 is removed or unseated for'any reason except when filling, in which event, both valves open for inward flow. It will be observed that the bodies [6 in Figs. 1 and 3 are substantially identical as are the outer valve elements. Only the inner valves are difierent in structure. The valve assemblies having the different component functions relating to the inner valves are therefore provided by a minimum number of kinds of parts.

The valve fitting of Fig." 4 will now be-described. fitting provides not only for" filling the vessel 19, but also for discharge of the gas to utilization apparatus. It also prevents excess flow out of the Vessel I0.

Except as pointed out in the following, the construction of the fitting of Fig. 4 is similar to the constructions of the fittings of Figs. 1 and 3. Similar parts in Figs. 1, 3, and 4 have been de scribed and identified by the same reference characters in the foregoing description of Figs. 1 and 3.

The valve 39 has secured thereto a rod 9 which extends into the space 69. The rod forms an operator which is engaged by a suitable adapter device on a connecting hose, not shown, when connection is made to the threads 22. Such engagement results in unseating the valve 30 to allow gas to flow through the passage from the vessel H! to the utilization apparatus, also not shown.

The structure forming the support for the valve 30 and the structure of the inner valve are specifically different from those of Figs. 1 and 3. The body 16 is provided with an internal thread 29 at its inner end, into which there is threaded a valve fitting sub-assembly 21.

The sub-assembly 2! comprises a tubular member 25 having an external diameter slightly less than the diameter of the opening I! through the vessel Ill. The member 25 is provided with a reduced end portion 33, by which it is secured to the threads 29 of the body 16. The member 25 is provided with a shoulder 35 abutting the inner end of the body 16 when the member 25 is fully engaged with the body 16.

The member 25 provides a web 31 at one end thereof providing a central guideway for the valve stem of the valve 30. A spring centering tubular extension 39 is formed integral with the member 25, and a spring 68 surrounds the extension 39 to engage the web 37 and the valve 30. The web 31 is perforated at 4| to provide free flow past the web. The web 31 further provides a seat 45 for a spring 41. The member further provides the inwardly facing valve seat 24 surrounding a reduced bore 49 surrounding the spring 41.

The member 25 provides at its inner end a countenbore 51 forming a shoulder 53. A support 55 is provided for the valve 26 and the support 55 is removably secured in the tube member 25. The support 55 is provided with a web portion 51 and a flange portion 65. The support 55 is held in position with its flange 65 abutting the shoulder 53 by a retainer ring 6|, received in a groove 63 turned in the member 25. The web 5! provides a tubular guideway for a stem 8| on the valve 26, and perforations 11 are provided to extend through the web 51 to allow fluid passage therethrough. The spring 41 bears on the outer end of the valve 26 and resists closure of the valve. However, when excess flow occurs outwardly, the resistance of the spring 41 is overcome and the valve 26 closes against the seat 24.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a valve structure: a body havin a passage therethrough; a first valve for controlling flow through said passage, said valve being located adjacent the downstream end of said passage; a second valve spaced upstream of the first valve, said second valve being removable; a support slidably received in the passage and disposed between the respective valves; spring means reacting between said support and the first valve for urging said valve in the opening direction; and a second spring reacting between said support and the second valve for urgin said valve in the closing direction.

2. In a valve structure: a body having a fluid passage with an annular lip around the passage and a valve seat disposed in one direction, there being a shoulder disposed in the opposite direction along said passage; a valve member disposed to engage the seat and having a stem and a support for the stem, the support being arranged. to abut against the shoulder; a spring retainer secured to said stem and engageable, when in one position, with the stem support; a slidable member within said passage; a spring reacting between said member and said retainer for urging the latter into engagement with said support and yieldingly maintaining the valve in an open position; a removable base spaced from said member, said base having a valve seat; a valve member disposed in the passage and adapted to engage said seat; and spring means reacting between said member and last mentioned valve urging said valve in the closing direction.

LEONARD C. RONEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 599,650 Stromwall Feb. 22, 1898 1,022,556 Johnson Apr. 9, 1912 1,411,483 Floyd Apr. 4, 1922 1,633,642 Kramer 1- June 28, 1927 1,695,722 Smith Dec. 18, 1928 1,905,942 Lawler Apr. 25, 1933 2,041,970 Shepherd May 26, 1936 2,155,179 Buttner Apr. 18, 1939 2,306,012 Campbell Dec. 22, 1942 2,361,865 Norway Oct. 31, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 499,519 Great Britain Jan. 25, 1939 

